Root Canal Safety
The relationship of our teeth and mouth to overall good health is indisputable. Endodontics plays a critical role in maintaining good oral health by eliminating infection and pain, and preserving our natural dentition.
A key responsibility of any dentist is to reassure patients who are concerned about the safety of endodontic treatment that their overall well-being is a top priority. The American Association of Endodontists website (www.aae.org) is the best place for anxious patients to obtain comprehensive information on the safety and efficacy of endodontics and root canal treatment.
While plenty of good information is available online from the AAE and other reliable resources, patients sometimes arrive in the dental office with misinformation. This has occurred with the long-dispelled “focal infection theory” in endodontics, introduced in the early 1900s. In the 1920s, Dr. Weston A. Price presented research suggesting that bacteria trapped in dentinal tubules during root canal treatment could “leak” and cause almost any type of generative systemic disease (e.g., arthritis; diseases of the kidney, heart, nervous, gastroinestinal, endocrine and other systems). This was before medicine understood the causes of such disease.
Dr. Price advocated tooth extraction—the most traumatic dental procedure—over endodontic treatment. This theory resulted in a frightening era of tooth extraction both for treatment of systemic disease and as a prophylactic measure against future illness. Dr. Price’s research techniques were criticized at the time they were published, and by the early 1930s, a number of well-designed studies using more modern research techniques discredited his findings.
Decades of research have contradicted Dr. Price’s findings since then. In 1951, the Journal of the American Dental Association published a special edition reviewing the scientific literature and shifted the standard of practice back to endodontic treatment for teeth with non-vital pulp in instances where the tooth could be saved. The JADA reviewed Dr. Price’s research techniques from the 1920s and noted that they lacked many aspects of modern scientific research, including absence of proper control groups and induction of excessive doses of bacteria.
More recent research continues to support the safety of dental treatment as it relates to overall systemic health. In 2007, the American Heart Association updated its guidelines on the prevention of infective endocarditis, drastically curbing the indications for premedication for dental procedures and excluding endodontic treatment from dental procedures requiring premedication. In April 2012, the AHA found no scientific evidence linking periodontal disease and heart disease, concluding that heart disease and periodontal disease often coincidentally occur in the same person due to common risk factors of smoking, age and diabetes mellitus.
Decades of research contradict the beliefs of “focal infection” proponents; there is no valid, scientific evidence linking endodontically treated teeth and systemic disease. Yet some patients still hear about this long-dispelled theory.
The staff was amazing!! - Laura J This was my first root canal and I chose this office as I had heard nothing but good about them and the procedure could not have went better! From front office staff to Dr. Day, they were awesome and I would recommend them to anyone and I would choose to go back if ever needed! She answered any and all questions thoroughly, nice calming/relaxing atmosphere and K-Love played on the radio which was awesome! Overall great experience!! - Jessica S Very professional, well run office. Took time to explain procedure and answer any and all questions I had to make me feel comfortable. Highly recommend. - Nathan N Dr. Day and her staff were exceptionally professional and efficient. I would gladly recommend them to others having a root canal procedure. - Kim M Very courteous and professional staff - Shaun J Dr. Day and her staff are very professional and friendly. Today was the second time I have been to her for root canal therapy. I highly recommend having your dentist refer you to Dr. Day for your endodontic treatment. - Renae F The staff are great. My appoint was quick and painless. I loved the Christian music playing in the background. As a person who HATES getting my teeth worked on, I’ve never been so calm. I would definitely recommend making an appointment here. - Alice W I was very impressed by all the staff. - Amanda S Dr. Day and her staff were exceptional. They were very friendly and it is obvious they have a great working relationship and care very much about their patients. Also, receiving a follow up call the next day to check on me was a pleasant surprise and much appreciated.
- Carl C Dr.Day and her staff are FANTASTIC! I was so nervous going in to have a root canal done, they made sure to answer any questions that i had before even beginning the procedure. I was debating literally up until an hour before the appt wether i was going to go or cancel. I am so glad that i didnt cancel and i just went and got it done. i was worried about pain afterwards and i have had no pain at all aside from my jaw being a little sore just from holding it open for the procedure. I would HIGHLY recommend Dr.Day to anyone who needs a root canal done! - Courtney D I never once felt the pain of the needle for numbing. I barely felt anything at all while she was doing the procedure. I think this is the best place that I've been to in a long time. I have never been to a dentist and not felt pain before. With leaving her office, I barely felt any pain what so ever. I appreciate the kindness and all the work she has done. - Richard H Very friendly staff and physician. They were able to get me in the next morning and were very efficient. Would highly recommend her. - Rebecca J Everything was explained well. Staff was friendly - Coretta J VERY NICE AND ANSWERED ANY QUESTIONS I HAD. - Kaitlin K M I was extremely nervous about having a root canal. I had never had one done before. The entire staff and Dr. Day were so kind in explaining what they were going to do and checking in to make sure I was comfortable the entire time. I highly recommend this facility if you ever need a root canal done. - Samantha W Experience was quick, painless and the dentist was very receptive on my questions and concerns during the entire procedure. I am so glad to have been recommend to Dr. Day
- Corey D I got the appointment I need very fast, the root canal was not painful at all. If you have ever had a tooth filled, having a root canal is exactly the same. even after numbness was gone there wasn't any pain. Dr. Day does a great job. Thank you - Connie G Very impressed with the office environment and how well everyone worked together. The dental hygienist and Dr. Day worked effortlessly together. - Lana F Great easy experience! - Sierra C Best root canal ever (and I've had a few)! - Jamie GJamie M. Day, DDS, MS, PLLC
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